Al Shabaab threat strands riders in Mandera, Kenya

Hundreds of passengers are stranded in Mandera and Nairobi as buses plying the route indefinitely suspend operations.

The suspension comes after an attack on buses, heading to and coming from the frontier county by suspected al Shabaab militants.

Those affected are mainly passengers who travelled to Mandera to join their families for the Eid celebrations.

Some companies have said they will not resume services until security of passengers is assured by the government.

Mandera Bus Owners Association chairman Mohamed Bardad accused the government of laxity in dealing with the terror group. Bus owners said police refused to accompany their buses after five of their colleagues were killed in an ambush.

On July 1, at least six passengers were killed when suspected militants or local criminals sprayed bullets on two buses.

A senior police officer, who did not want to be named, said the fighters are still in the area after they were spotted by residents.

“The well-armed men are still within the Kenyan borders near the route. We do not know when they will attack next,” he said. Efforts to reach county commissioner Fredrick Shisia were unsuccessful.